The port authority has launched a public procurement for the construction of a new cruise facility in the Old City Harbour, along with a promenade.
The terminal will feature a 4,000 m2-big building that will be able to accommodate up to 2,000 people at once. Between cruise seasons, it will function as a venue for different kinds of events, including concerts and conferences.
"The interior and exterior architecture was designed paying special attention to ensuring the best possible environmental properties of the materials and inventory. The building will be heated with sea heating, and additional energy will be generated using solar panels. The main materials used for the building will be glass, natural concrete, heat-treated pine and steel painted in black colour. Open rooms will have plenty of live plants which will create a good interior climate and cosy atmosphere," the Port of Tallinn underlined in a press release.
The 900 m-long promenade - featuring cycling and pedestrian roads, green areas, small squares, open shelters for walkers, and zones for activities for children and sports enthusiasts - will stretch from the present cruise gate located under the roof of the building, to the end of the North-Western pier of the Old City Harbour.
"As the biggest sea gate of Estonia and the company that creates the first impression of the country, we wish to offer guests of our capital the best visiting experience while following the principles of sustainability. Opening of the seaside for the city residents and guests is just as important. We are convinced that the new terminal and pedestrian promenade will become one of the prominent symbols of the city and a leisure time location beloved by the locals," Ingrid Berezin, Business Manager Cruise and Ferry, the Port of Tallinn, explained.
She also said, "The architectural solution of the entire complex is truly unique. It will preserve and enrich the present historical wave protection wall and create a new landmark for guests of the city who arrive from the sea. One of the ideas planned as a part of the architectural solution is to create a new sea gate which would have an attractive architecture without covering the unique panorama of Hanseatic Old Town of Tallinn that opens for the guests of our city who arrive from the sea."
The whole cruise complex is planned to be completed by summer of 2021.